Assessment of Drug Related Problems and Pharmacist Interventions in Inpatients with Cardiovascular Disease

Aim. To identify and evaluate the nature and incidence of drug-related problems (DRPs) and to manifest the role of a pharmacist in ensuring safe and efficient use of medications with cardiovascular disease patients by using PCNE Classification to assess and report drug-related problems.Material and Methods. An Observational and Prospective study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital of medicine department of general and intensive/critical care units for a period of 6 months to identify and evaluate the nature and incidence of DRP’s and to manifest the role of a pharmacist in ensuring safe and efficient use of medications with cardiovascular disease patients by using PCNE Classification to assess and report drug-related problems.Results. Of 94 Patient profiles were evaluated out of which 78 (82.9%) patient profiles were identified with 208 DRPs. Among 208, 140 (67.3%) drug interactions, 15 (7.2%) untreated indication, 12 (5.8%) adverse drug reactions, 10 (4.8%) drug use without indication, 8 (3.8%) drug underused, 8 (3.8%) duration of treatment too short, 5 (2.4%) dose unclear, 4 (1.9%) inappropriate drug form, 3 (1.4%) duration of treatment too long, 2 (1.0%) too many drugs prescribed for an indication, 1 (0.5%) drug overused. For 208 DRPs identified and provided with 74 interventions which includes 30 (41.6%) drug discontinuation, 24 (33.3%) addition of a new drug, 4 (5.55%) change of dosage form, and 14 (19.4%) decrease the dose.Conclusion. The present study revealed that patients with cardiovascular diseases suffer from numerous DRPs that can be identified, resolved, or prevented to some extent by pharmacist intervention. Hence the study addresses the importance of clinical pharmacist in the management of DRPs among cardiovascular patients

BULLOUS PEMPHIGOID A RARE AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE: A CASE REPORT

Background. Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a rare autoimmune blistering skin disease in the elderly and it is manifested by cutaneous blisters on the skin lesions. The objective was to emphasize the rare case of BP. Methods. A case report of BP in a 58-year-old male patient admitted to a dermatology ward is presented. Results. A 58-year-old male patient with complaints of fluid-filled skin lesions, was examined initially over the trunk, gradually progressed involving B/L upper and lower extremities. Even though the patient was treated with the recommended therapy of corticosteroid (Dexamethasone) along with adjuvant drugs, new skin lesions continued to develop, and the patient’s condition worsened. The Prednisolone was started in place of Dexamethasone on the fifth day of treatment at its higher dose (50mg/day), the Prednisolone proved its efficacy to combat the extensive condition of BP. Conclusions. Bullous pemphigoid is a distressing blistering skin disease. Untreated disease is often fatal because of the susceptibility to infection and fluid-electrolyte disturbances. The mortality of patients with bullous pemphigoid has been significantly reduced with the advent of new therapies and treatment modalities. The treatment with systemic and topical corticosteroids forms the mainstay of treatment along with other adjuvant drugs. In the present case study, the use of Prednisolone has proven its efficacy in the extensive disease state of BP and improved the patient’s quality of life

Knowledge, attitude and practice about eye donation among medical and paramedical students in tertiary eye care hospital

Background: Eye sight is very important for human life. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that every 5 seconds someone goes blind. Globally, 37 million people are blind, and of these nearly 10 lakh blind people are willing for corneal transplantation. Aims: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding eye donation among the students. Materials and Methods: The data were collected by the questionnaire method from medical and paramedical students at Al Ameen Medical College, Bijapur. Data collected from the participants were analyzed using percentage and descriptive statistics. Results: Out of the 250 students, 60.4% were Muslim by religion. The participants were wellaware of eye donation (99.2%) quoting media as a major source of information for their knowledge. Attitude regarding eye donation in few (45.6%) was different as it was against their religious belief, although they said it was a service to the mankind (92%). Out of the 250 students, 48% were willing to pledge and 52% students did not believe in pledging their eyes. Conclusion: The findings of the study showed that overall knowledge about eye donation among students was good, however the attitude and practice showed mixed responses

Synthesis, structure and reactivity of zirconium(IV), vanadium(IV), cobalt(II), nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes derived from carbohydrazide schiff base ligands

415-420A series of polydentate schiff base ligands have been prepared by the condensation of carbohydrazide, H2N-NH-CONH-NH2, with various aldehydes and the isolated ligands characterized by elemental analysis and spectral methods. In order to investigate the coordination behaviour of these ligands, metal complexes of the type M(acac)x L[M = Zr(IV), VO(IV), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II); L = Schiff base ligands; x = 0 or 2] have been prepared from the reaction of these ligands with their corresponding metal acetylacetonates. On the basis of analytical and spectral data, square antiprism, square pyramid and square planar structures have been proposed. The biological activities of all isolated ligands and their metal complexes have been studied by screening the compounds against organisms such as E. coli, S. aureus, A. niger and C. albicans and the results have been compared

An Interesting Case of Perforated Meckel’s Diverticulum

Meckel’s diverticulum is one of the common congenital anomalies of the small intestine that occurs in approximately 2% of population, with equal incidence in both sexes. It is caused by an incomplete obliteration of omphalomesenteric duct. It is a true diverticulum, containing all the three layers; complications are known in 4% of cases in adults. Here, we present an interesting case of a gangrenous Meckel’s diverticulum simulating appendicular lump, which was treated with Oschner Sherren’s regime

A rare association of scleromyxedema with cutis verticis gyrata

Cutis verticis gyrata (CVG) is characterized by redundant skin on the scalp that exhibits deep furrows and convolutions. We report a 58-year-old male who presented with multiple raised asymptomatic skin-colored lesions over the chest and abdomen and features of CVG. Biopsy from the lesion confirmed the diagnosis of scleromyxedema. Scleromyxedema presents as diffuse thickening of the skin which underlies the papules. The hypertrophy and folding of the skin produces a gyrate appearance

555 Perinatal neuroblastoma with a germline interstitial 2P duplication involving the mycn gene: A case report

Background/Aims: MYCN proto-oncogene is located on chromosome 2p24. MYCN amplification is a poor prognostic factor in neuroblastoma. However, the role of germline MYCN copy number gain is unclear. It is unknown if it is a prerequisite for MYCN amplification or an independent event in neuroblastoma.Methods: Case report of perinatal neuroblastoma with a mosaic interstitial 2p duplication and literature review.Results: A 3.3 cm right suprarenal mass was noted in a 2 day old infant with bilateral postaxial polydactyly, syndactyly and bicuspid aortic valve. He was observed clinically until 3 weeks of age when he presented with increasing abdominal distension, prominent hepatomegaly, enlarging suprarenal mass, and marked elevation of urinary VMA/HVA levels. Diffuse liver MIBG avidity was noted. Emergent chemotherapy was started and he underwent decompressive laparotomy secondary to abdominal compartment syndrome. He is currently five months into therapy and doing well. aCGH performed on peripheral blood leukocytes showed mosaic interstitial duplication from 2p24.1 to 2p25.3 involving the MYCN gene which was confirmed by FISH. Tumor MYCN amplification status is unknown.Conclusion: Management of perinatal neuroblastoma includes close observation with therapeutic intervention reserved for advanced stage and/or clinical progression. Two of the five cases of neuroblastomas described in patients with dysmorphic features and a germline partial 2p duplication, were detected perinatally. All patients had an aggressive clinical course. In the subset of patients with perinatal neuroblastoma and multiple congenital anomalies, FISH or aCGH testing for partial 2p gain may identify those who may need more aggressive management

Traumatic Fat Necrosis of Breast in Male: A Very Rare Clinical Entity

Fat necrosis is a benign condition that can occur anywhere in the breast and can affect women of any age. Although it is frequently seen in female breast, it is a very rare condition that occurs in a male breast, and a very few cases have been reported so far. We report a case of fat necrosis of the breast in a 22-year-old male. The case was referred for surgical excision. The excised tissue showed typical multiple areas of saponification and calcification. A diagnosis of fat necrosis was confirmed by histopathologic examination.